The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has announced Phase 2 of their Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Audit Program.

Phase 2 audits are currently under way and begin with verification of an entity’s address and contact information. An email is being sent to covered entities and business associates requesting that contact information be provided to OCR. OCR will then transmit a pre-audit questionnaire to gather data about the size, type, and operations of potential auditees; this data will be used with other information to create potential audit subject pools.

OCR will review the policies and procedures used by covered entities and their business associates to meet selected standards and implementation specifications of the Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules. OCR anticipates that the audits will primarily be desk audits, although some on-site audits will be conducted.

Home care now exceeds institutional care for the first time in Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports, and Medicaid home care continues to grow to meet the increasing needs across the country. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice’s (NAHC) 2016 March on Washington Conference included a session focused on the priority issues in Medicaid home care. These priority issues include pending legislation and legislative remedies relative to Medicaid Managed Care Long Term Services and Supports, the Fair Labor Standards Act minimum wage and overtime compensation requirements, and the Affordable Care Act employer mandate. The session provided advice and strategies for discussing these issues with members of Congress. Subsequent NAHC Report coverage will summarize the discussion on private duty home care issues.

The Premier Event for Financial Managers in Home Care and Hospice

NAHC’s Financial Management Conference & Exposition is the premier event for financial managers in home care and hospice. By bringing together the industry's top financial and legal experts, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice and its affiliate, the Home Care & Hospice Financial Managers Association (HHFMA), provide attendees with opportunities to advance their understanding of financial management techniques and business strategies in home care and hospice.

For over 20 years, NAHC and HHFMA have empowered people with groundbreaking news, education, networking opportunities, research, and resources.

NAHC and HHFMA members can register for the conference for just $750 through June 17; non-members pay $1,025. Pre-conferences are $250 for members and $350 for non-members.

Educational Opportunities

The Financial Management Conference offers three intensive pre-conferences and 20 education sessions focussed across four tracks – home health, hospice, leadership, and care innovations – as well as three general sessions that provide an overview of the latest developments in health care reform and their impact on home health and hospice.

Exhibit Hall

Every year, more than 75 vendors showcase innovative technology, software, business consulting, and other products and services. Financial firms, staffing and legal consultants, product specialists, marketing mavens, and training and compliance companies are there to help you keep up with the aggressive pace of health care reform, eliminate redundancies, and streamline your operations.

Come and work for the largest healthcare system in Arkansas. Baptist Health is looking to hire an administrator/director for our Home Health and Hospice. Responsible for all aspects of operations, financial management, quality initiatives and regulatory compliance. Assures stewardship of resources provided to support staff’s ability to be successful in their role.

Bachelor's degree required, Masters preferred. 5 years of progressive health care management experience, preferably in a home health or hospice. Successful record of leading complex organizations, financial acumen, specifically with regards to home health regulatory requirements. Hospital -based Home Care preferred.